Katana DLX or something else?

[raelynjo]

I may have the opportunity in the next day or 2 to get a Katana DLX free. Otherwise I am looking at getting a new phone in March when my current contract is up.

Right now I have the VI-2300 by Sanyo & I like it just fine. It is only my 2nd phone, so I don't know a lot about the different types or brands. I don't really need anything fancy, the 2300 is just dandy for me, just looking to get a newer phone.

So, should I go for the DLX or wait & get something better?

[PrincessPixie]

The DLX is a fine and dandy phone, it really is. I don't actually know anything about the 2300, as I've never owned one. One thing to consider is if you use the web (Vision or Power Vision). I don't know if the 2300 is EVDO capable, but the DLX is. What that means to you is that the cheapest EVDO/Power Vision package is $15 a month. I don't know if you are paying for Vision access or not, or what you are paying. For me, I've been using an EVDO phone for about 14 months, and I'm never going back!

As far as the DLX goes in particular, it's got some great features, the camera is incredible, and the ability to carry my music is a HUGE plus.

[james2K]

did you get one of the letters for the free DLX in West or Northern MI? That is a great deal.... free $130 phone and no upgrade fee. i'm sure it'll be good for you. It's a full featured Sanyo with no major flaws IMO.

[raelynjo]

did you get one of the letters for the free DLX in West or Northern MI? That is a great deal.... free $130 phone and no upgrade fee. i'm sure it'll be good for you. It's a full featured Sanyo with no major flaws IMO.

Yeah, & I kept forgetting about it & could find people who knew anything about it & the deal ends Sunday.



Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

[james2K]

no prob... hey if you're in GR... PM for my store phone number :hee: it's slow today and i have DLX's ready to go :D

[Citibrat]

If you are able to get a free katana DLX, then by all means do so. I loved my last phone, too (by sanyo)... but it didn't hold a candle to what my DLX can do! The reason I mainly bought it was for the music and bluetooth capability... but it has expanded to so much more. I now have many accessories that I never thought I would have gotten so that I can use the phone to its utmost extent. Recently, I bought a bluetooth headphone (the motorokr s9) so that I can listen to my music privately without bothering anyone. I wound up taking it back (too uncomfortable with the behind the head thing), but got a different one. I now use it to listen to music as I work around the house, read a book, and many other things as well.

The thing I love most about my DLX, however, is it's durability. Just hold it once, and you'll feel its sturdy construction. There are some minor quirks (such as phone freezing if you try to use it for email, but that can be fixed with a code), but overall this phone is sweet. I had made the decision to get a Razr2 when it came out, but I am glad I didn't. The Razr2 is just plain bulky and I like my small phones. I paid a premium price for this (I got it in Sept), but I wouldn't have been happy with any other phone. If you get this, I am sure you'll love it, too!

Just my 2.5083714890 cents!

[edit] If you have any questions, there is a great thread about this phone that can answer most anything you could come up with... and anything that's not there you can find out by asking there, and we'll be happy to answer if we can.:D

[raelynjo]

So I went ahead & got it today. Now I am just trying to figure out what Vision service to add so I can send & recieve picture/regular texts. Gots lots to figure out!

[Citibrat]

So I went ahead & got it today. Now I am just trying to figure out what Vision service to add so I can send & recieve picture/regular texts. Gots lots to figure out!

Well, the best way to get pics/ music is bluetooth (sending via computer is far better than txt msging- and faster). Failing that, you can just use an uploader (Focus Uploader here, or rumkin- both free) in which any vision package would do... you would just have to add unlimited txt msging onto that (trust me, its worth it. Had $40 in charges just for txting when I didn't have it). Power Vision is the best way to go.

I now enjoy uploading ringers via free txt msgs, and everything else via bluetooth. Which color did you get? I wanted the champagne color, but the only color my store carried was silver. I'm kind of glad it worked out that way, now, though. After having seen the champagne, I like the silver better.

Any questions, once again you can look through the thread specifically for the DLX, or you can ask me directly (among others, I'm sure). Have fun with the phone!

[raelynjo]

Which color did you get? I wanted the champagne color, but the only color my store carried was silver. I'm kind of glad it worked out that way, now, though. After having seen the champagne, I like the silver better.

Lol, I got the champagne actually.

[Citibrat]

As long as you like it, that's all that matters. :) I just thought the champagne looked better in pictures than it did irl. All's well that ends well, though. Still would have prefered a black one, or maybe burgandy/ maroon. Meh. Life goes on ;)

[bikerich69]

Great Choice. the DLX is the best sanyo i have owned so far. i have owned many different sanyo models. the 6400 was a favorite but it is old technology by todays standards:)
I find that the phone freezes periodically while using the email application, even after i have entered the reset code. just a quirk but thats ok as this is the only quirk i have noticed so far.

[Citibrat]

Okay, so I'm wondering how you like the DLX so far. I'm kind of hoping you have the same addiction I had for it when I first got it (I couldn't put it down, even at work! Got me in all sorts of trouble... :P) Okay, so I don't actually hope you have the same addiction I had for it. Maybe something a little less... obsessive, shall we say?

Anyway, I'd like to know. I've gotten more accessories for mine... because, you know... I'm obsessive ;)

[neoelectrex]

I picked up a dlx and it's awesome. before that i had a sanyo 8300 and 5600 and let's just say sanyo hasn't let me down yet. in fact, i'm using it to post this message. :-)

[Citibrat]

I'd say Sanyo is one of the best mfrs out there. I've had a couple of phones by them, and I've always been quite satisfied with them. As long as they keep making them, I'll keep buying them. I'm glad you enjoy yours as well!

[raelynjo]

I love it! I don't have any accessories, I'm too poor, lol. I couldn't have afforded the phone if it weren't free, lol.

I'm trying to figure out how to do my own ringtones, I've looked around here for ideas, but the couple things I've tried haven't worked.

I love having picture mail now, that's prolly one of my fave things about the phone right now.

[sde780]

^^^accessories like car charger, etc go for like $5 on ebay.

Do you have the USB cable? I think you might be able to Bitpim ringtones to your phone,

[PrincessPixie]

Sanyo's are quite difficult, normally to BitPim.

[Studogvetmed]

Bit pim will only read/write the phonebook and GET pictures. It can't do anything else.

For my Katana II, I have been uploading ringtones to www.funformobile.com and going to my funblog and downloading from there. If you have a dataplan, it's perfect, if not, casual usage will apply. I think it's the easiest way. I didn't have luck with the focus uploader or through funformobiles text uploader.

I did get www.dopetone.com to convert and text me a ringer to download.

[raelynjo]

I have unlimited data usage & texting on there, so that's not really an issue.

[Citibrat]

Hey there! Glad to hear that you enjoy your DLX. As you will definitely see on here, some people don't really think it's a good phone. However, I have found it to be MORE than I could really want of a phone- with a few small things I wish I could do, but it doesn't really upset me too much.

For file transfer, I recommend a bluetooth adapter. The DLX has full bluetooth capability, which means you can transfer almost anything (except ringers, if you want to put them in the correct folder you have to upload them). For ringers, I recommend using rumkin uploader. The Focus tool available here is a great tool also... if they ever fix it.

Unfortunately, Bitpim does not (as of yet) support the DLX. The reason for this is simple. 1) the phone came out after their last phone model update, and there's really no need for it with bluetooth availability built on the phone. 2) Bitpim is FREEWARE, which means that- although it may be great software, it may not have the best support due to it being supported by volunteers (aka: they work on it when they can).

The good news is that there's a lot of free uploaders available on the net (I personally like rumkin). Hope this helps! If you need anything more, just let us know! :)

[mslili]

I just bought the Katana DLX today (Champagne color if u were wondering....) AND I LOVE IT! This phone is definately bad ass!

[Citibrat]

I just bought the Katana DLX today (Champagne color if u were wondering....) AND I LOVE IT! This phone is definately bad ass!

Hrm... well, that's one way to say it, I suppose :haha:

The best things about this phone are as follows:
1) Sturdy construction. I've dropped it many times in the few months I've had it (since sept), and it has only one tiny chip and no visible scratches!
2) BlueTooth. I cannot say it enough. Bluetooth rocks! Of course... if it could speed itself up quite a bit, that would rock even more.
3) Mp3 player. Never had one before, and I'm not really keen on carrying more than one device with me at one time (headphones, headset, and portable battery pack exempt of course).
4) customization. screen savers, ringers, and much more. Wee! I am having fun, now!
5) four letters: EVDO. Sprint's Power Vision is amazing... in large cities like Chicago. I just wish I could get it out here in Hicksville, WI.
6) Size. I can fit the bluddy thing in the change pocket of my jeans.

There are, of course, many other features that make this phone cool, but these are the absolute best (IMHO). To all who have recently purchased this phone: Enjoy!

[one_hoop]

I love using the internet on my phone (wikipedia for bar bets and points of interest, nfl.com for sports scores, checking on details of a news story that someone mentions in passing, checking or posting to message-boards en route to or from an event, ...)

And, I don't care how pretty the screen is (pixels, #ks of colors)... the size of the DLX internal screen is a deal breaker for me. It's funny because I'd been so happy with my MM-8300 that I had only considered Sanyo phones (loud ringer!! sturdy build! snap.), but then a buddy was showing off his WMD (Windoze Mobile Device) and it was about the same size as my wallet (Wallet is 103x67x14, although my wallet could use a few more benjamins and his phone was actually 12mm thick without its case). Pretty remarkable I thought, perhaps I haven't considered all my options. Perhaps I should consider more than a flip phone?

I'm planning on calling retentions and asking for a Blackberry Pearl 8130 tomorrow. What I really want is an iPhone, but the Pearl is pretty sweet and I bet that Sprint can hook me up with a better deal than AT&T. There's no way that I'm going to wait for the m800 touch, particularly since I'm not eager to be one of the first ones to try that unknown.

Oops, just realized that this reply is coming much too late to make a difference, oops. Let that be a lesson to me, "Gotta read before you type!" Anyway, my moral was going to be if you can get a free phone without renewing your contract then it shouldn't be a question!

Well, if it's any consolation, there is no picture mail with the Sprint version of the 8130 (VZW allows it), you have to email pictures to people's phonenumber@wirelessmobilepictureservice.com (there was a list of them posted earlier, I need to find and save it for my new phone). Also if someone sends you a picture message it gives you a text message with a link to their website instead. Very strange.


.02,
M@

[Jwhistler]

Well, the best way to get pics/ music is bluetooth (sending via computer is far better than txt msging- and faster). Failing that, you can just use an uploader (Focus Uploader here, or rumkin- both free) in which any vision package would do... you would just have to add unlimited txt msging onto that (trust me, its worth it. Had $40 in charges just for txting when I didn't have it). Power Vision is the best way to go.

I now enjoy uploading ringers via free txt msgs, and everything else via bluetooth. Which color did you get? I wanted the champagne color, but the only color my store carried was silver. I'm kind of glad it worked out that way, now, though. After having seen the champagne, I like the silver better.

Any questions, once again you can look through the thread specifically for the DLX, or you can ask me directly (among others, I'm sure). Have fun with the phone!


I'm still confused about the whole text/picture messaging. I have one of the Fair and Flexible family plans, and want to keep it...just add unlimited text. Will that also include picture messaging? Or is that a separate add-on?

[Citibrat]

Well, by "picture messaging" I am assuming you mean text messages with/ for pictures. Texting someone and including a picture in it, or receiving the same, are included with unlimited texting- however, you will need the vision plan as well, or you will get charged for the data download (per kb). To truly get free picture text messaging, you will need Power Vision and Unlimited Text Messages plans. If I remember correctly, the Power Vision also includes picture email, so if you were actually meaning that, it should be covered.

Of course, coverage and plans differ slightly in different areas, so you may want to check with your local customer service rep- or call their customer service number- to get an answer for your area.

When I first started with my DLX, I didn't add unlimited texting (thinking there's no way I'd text more than the alloted amount- and I was right). Later, I had to add it because (once again) Sprint charges per kb of download if you text message with a picture or ringer. I found that bluetooth is the best way to transfer pictures to and from my phone- all I needed was the bluetooth adapter ($30 in my area). If you're actually using the text messages for other than transfering from your computer, then you'll definitely want to add PV and UT.

[cdpat01]

I need help w/ringtones w/my Katana DLX...I've read the threads, but still need assistance...How do I get free ringtones? I've tried surfing different sites, but for some reason, the ringtones will not download for me...I have used ventones.com to upload 2 sound tones from that were posted to the site, but I can't seem to get an actual ringtone to download for me...I am looking for 2 ringtones...a doorbell ringtone and also Warren G's "Regulate"...HELP!!!

[goodiemob]

Hrm... well, that's one way to say it, I suppose :haha:

The best things about this phone are as follows:
1) Sturdy construction. I've dropped it many times in the few months I've had it (since sept), and it has only one tiny chip and no visible scratches!
2) BlueTooth. I cannot say it enough. Bluetooth rocks! Of course... if it could speed itself up quite a bit, that would rock even more.
3) Mp3 player. Never had one before, and I'm not really keen on carrying more than one device with me at one time (headphones, headset, and portable battery pack exempt of course).
4) customization. screen savers, ringers, and much more. Wee! I am having fun, now!
5) four letters: EVDO. Sprint's Power Vision is amazing... in large cities like Chicago. I just wish I could get it out here in Hicksville, WI.
6) Size. I can fit the bluddy thing in the change pocket of my jeans.

There are, of course, many other features that make this phone cool, but these are the absolute best (IMHO). To all who have recently purchased this phone: Enjoy!Citibrat,dont forget about opera mini 4 web browser,it is sweet.

[mike068]

Katana DLX is a good choice as long as you get one of the new ones with the 1.010sp software my first 2 with older versions sucked very buggy for a power user (well most anyone) but my new one with the new software is like totally different phone I love it.